ShareBuilder just sent me an email about 401(k) rollovers. If you roll over an account of $25k or more, you get a $250 bonus. A quick search finds that Schwab and TD Ameritrade might be offering bonuses as well - for instance for rolling over $50k to $99,999 one would get a $200 bonus.

It just so happens that I do have a 401(k) that could use some rolling over. However, I am not really a fan of Sharebuilder. Yet I do have an account there, so at least it would be less work than getting a lesser bonus from the other brokerages above.

I wonder if Fidelity of Vanguard would match the offer? Eventually I would like the account to end up at one of those two places. But, I guess that is true of most people, which is why those two don't have to offer such bonuses in the first place.

Make sure you check (NOT with the brokerage) that the "bonus" is not taxable by the IRS.

Where, then?

so what if it is taxed? you're $250 - taxes due richer. if you can stand parking your money there for a bit, it might be worth it. I can't remember the exact rules, but be careful rolling over a lot. i know you can only rollover an ira once a year, not sure how 401k rollovers work into it...

I don't understand why it would be taxed. It is not income but rather an incentive or gift. You might want to check the definition of income in the is pubs. Also, since it is below 600 dollars they probably will not 1099 you. If the do, they will have to characterize it. Contrary to what Jacko says, the payer is the one that classifies any 1099 payments. You won't get an answer from customer service but they will get it right at the end of the year.

Like bf says, 200 minus taxes is still decent beer money